May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Children's Health Worms that can be Contracted from Pets and Animals
Worms that can be Contracted from Pets and Animals |
|
Dear Ask The Doctor: Can humans get worms from animals or pets? If not where do they come from or how are they contracted by humans? Yes, humans can contract diseases from pets and animals, the common ones being dogs and cats. These animals normally have residing worms in their intestines and urinary tract. They usually don’t cause disease in animals but when humans accidentally come into contact w/ the feces or urine of these animals, and accidentally ingest these bugs and/or the eggs, they can be transmitted and can potentially cause disease in humans. Roundworms and hookworms can be contracted from dogs and cats while tapeworms can be contracted from undercooked pork or undercooked beef. But if you are talking about pinworms (scientific name is Enterobius vermicularis), these worms are usually transmitted from humans to humans. These are ~0.5cm long and whitish in color. The female worms usually lay eggs at night or cold conditions, when this happens they go out from the anus and lay eggs on that area. This is usually very itchy and kids (even adults) may scratch their buttocks, transferring the eggs from the anus to the nails/hands. Eggs may stay on the skin for hours but it can survive in bedsheets or other articles for a few weeks. When adults or kids accidentally ingest these eggs, these eggs will hatch in the intestines and evolve into adult worms. Bear in mind that these eggs can also be transmitted through aerosol (inhalation). Humans can inhale the eggs and can also be transmitted through this route. Pinworm infection is very common in correctional centers or overcrowded conditions. Sometimes, pinworms find its way to the vagina and can cause vaginal itchiness. If you are highly suspecting or has confirmed (through tests) that among one in your household has pinworm infection, I suggest bedsheets should be washed every 1-2 weeks and you may also ask for a doctor’s prescription for preventing pinworm infection (Mebendazole or Albendazole or Pyrantel pamoate). Bear in mind that some individuals are carriers, which means they harbour these bugs and the eggs and are continually shedding and transmitting them without any signs and/or symptoms. I do hope this helps. Take care always. |
|
| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 04 May 2011 ) |
|
|
|
|
